House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., left, arrives for a House Republican strategy session on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. As a result of his defeat in the Virginia primary, Cantor will relinquish his leadership post earlier than expected.

RICHMOND, Va. — U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor told a Virginia newspaper that he will resign his seat in the House of Representatives months earlier than expected.

In an early Friday report, Cantor told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he will step down Aug. 18 to make sure constituents have a voice during the "consequential" lame-duck session.

Cantor told the newspaper he has asked Gov. Terry McAuliffe to call a special election for his district that coincides with the Nov. 4 general election. That would enable his successor to take office immediately.

Cantor's announcement came hours after he stepped down as House majority leader Thursday. Cantor had previously said he would serve his full term, which would have ended in January.

Cantor lost to Dave Brat, an underfunded, tea party-backed opponent, in his Republican primary in June.